Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition.

Patients can complain of pain, pins and needles, tingling, weakness or numbness affecting the hand in the area supplied by the median nerve. This is usually due to compression of the nerve in the carpal tunnel, which is at the level of the wrist going into the palm where nine tendons and the median nerve are surrounded by small bones of the wrist and a thick structure called the transverse carpal ligament.

A steroid injection to the carpal tunnel can help symptoms.

Surgery can be indicated for this condition and it consists of an operation to divide the ligament so that the tunnel is freed up relieving pressure on the nerve and tendons. This often relieves pain and pins and needles although it can take some time for the weakness and numbness to recover fully.

About This Site

Welcome from Mr Jeremy Southgate MBBS FRCS (Orth) EDHS, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with special interests in: hands, wrists, elbows and trauma. This site is an introduction about conditions patients experience and treatments that surgery can offer.